Page 11 - International Student Pre-Arrival Guide

Explore
The weather in Victoria is some of the mildest in North America with warm, sunny summers and cool rainy winters. This climate makes it an ideal location for outdoor recreation activities including hiking, kayaking and running. Victoria is also known as the Cycling Capital of Canada with hundreds of kilometers of bicycle paths throughout the city including the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, which connects directly to the RRU campus. Make time upon arrival to explore Victoria and the West Shore communities of Colwood and Langford.
Colwood and Langford
Royal Roads University is located in Colwood, about 13km west of downtown Victoria. This area is also known as the West Shore and includes the City of Langford. You will nd a wide variety of amenities, recreation and entertainment in the heart of the West Shore, just minutes from the Royal Roads University campus. Groceries, banking, postal services, restaurants and other amenities are located just a 10-minute walk from campus.
Victoria
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia and is one of the oldest cities in the Paci c Northwest. This progressive, energetic city boasts stunning natural landscapes and is steeped in rich history and culture. Its two most famous landmarks are the Parliament Buildings and the Empress Hotel, located in Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is the largest island on the Westcoast of North America. It has been home to many groups of indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Much of the island is protected parkland, with diverse ecosystems and one of the world’s premier locations for whale watching, birding, and shing.
Highlights include the old-growth forests of Cathedral Grove and Clayoquot Sound, sleepy beachside villages, pristine coastline, sur ng and storm watching in To no, and skiing at Mt. Washington. It is one of the only places in the world where you could surf and ski in the same day.
The Gulf Islands
The Gulf Islands are the islands in the Strait of Georgia between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. A visit to the Gulf Islands guarantees rest and relaxation. Every island has its own distinct avour. BC Ferries offers regular trips to the Gulf Islands.
Vancouver
You can take side trips to nearby Vancouver on the mainland
to enjoy the sights and sounds of the big city. With 2.4 million residents, Vancouver is a big multicultural city where you really can do anything. Many green spaces and parks in and around the city combined with clean, modern architecture make Vancouver a truly unique and exciting place to visit.
Royal Roads University
Pre-Arrival Student Guide 10